It seems as though Van cleef & Aprels has been reformulated a couple of times, and is not as high quality as when it was first released. Does anyone know which years it was reformulated? Also has YSL ph been reformulated also? If so was it the concentrated version or the regular?

Re: Van Cleef & Arpels ph (OR) YSL ph (OR) Mont Blanc Individuele

I have VCH PH - but not the other two mentioned.

There's a thread somewhere - which I can't find for now - that suggests the latest re-formation was something of a return to the former glory. Needless to say, my new edition is a fine mix of musk and castoreum. I don't get any rose from it. (My guess is that the middle edition was the dusky rose scent, and the third variant - mine - a return to the un-floral darkness of the first, hence the wide variety in the reviews section. I'm in the compare-it-Kouros camp; in the sense of it is to castoreum what the other is to civet.)

It gets a lot of wear. It's certainly my favourite musk, although I find anything with the word 'musk' printed on the bottle to be too floral. It's long lasting - on me - too.

Re: Van Cleef & Arpels ph (OR) YSL ph (OR) Mont Blanc Individuele

Re: Van Cleef & Arpels ph (OR) YSL ph (OR) Mont Blanc Individuele

I would not suggest blind buying except maybe the Mont Blanc. Seems like it is the safest.
YSL PH is a classic and a powerhouse of heavy, leathery, herbal lemon-really great and natural. The Mont Blanc is the most modern, sort of a lighter verision of Joop or more synthetic Orig Santal. I tested VC&A recently but it really did not stand out probably because i was testing so much other stuff.

Re: Van Cleef & Arpels ph (OR) YSL ph (OR) Mont Blanc Individuele

Individuel is quite good if that is what you seek. I wouldn't go near the new VC&A PH, but instead I'd suggest grabbing a bottle of Leonard Pour Homme (the original/vintage) which is still available on ebay at not too high prices.

Re: Van Cleef & Arpels ph (OR) YSL ph (OR) Mont Blanc Individuele

Re: Van Cleef & Arpels ph (OR) YSL ph (OR) Mont Blanc Individuele

I would put VC & Arpels on top followedby YSL then MBI. I only have the vintage VC & A and it is a rich concoction that is a true gem. Maybe look out for some vintage minis on ebay? There is a thread on here talking about the different reformulations though not sure if any years are stated.